FOURTH TIME replacing my water pump in six years of owning my vehicle. I originally took my vehicle to my regular, trustworthy mechanic to verify it was the water pump failing AGAIN since my heater was suddenly not working in mid January (been there, done that). Mechanic said two of his guys looked over the vehicle per their diagnostic process and confirmed it was the water pump but also the thermostat this time. GRRRR!
Knowing GM is on the hook to replace my water pumps for free under a special coverage warranty (#14371B), I took my Sonic across the street to the GM dealership to save $300-400. The dealership calls me the next morning saying it is the water pump and thermostat -- which I already knew. Then they tack on more fictional problems including an alleged "MAJOR oil leak," which will involve removing the engine to access the leak, replacing all the brake pads because "they are failing," and a transmission fluid change. The repair quote they gave me was somewhere around $4,000 for fixing the water pump, thermostat, the oil leak, brake pad replacement, and a transmission fluid flush. I immediately thought they were full of sh*t since I LITERLLY paid for a full diagnostic on my vehicle the day before -- and this is the first time I am hearing about any kind of oil leak or brake issues.
I call my regular mechanic to ask him about an oil leak and brakes since it was not on their report. My mechanic said, "those dealership guys are trained to upsell you on non-existent car issues for a commission, especially if you're female." At this point I am MAJORLY PISSED because this is not the first time a mechanic has tried to take upsell me on unnecessary car repairs. I called the GM dealer back and told them to only fix the coolant issues for now and I will watch for an oil leak over the next few days. I said my brakes are fine and I am not going to flush out the transmission fluid because it usually causes more issues down the line. Got my Sonic back from the dealership and parked it in the same spot for 48 hours with a white piece of cloth underneath the engine to catch any leaking oil. After two days NOTHING. Eight months later and STILL NO OIL LEAK.
I will never do business with a GM dealership ever again; they are a bunch of lying con artists and sold me a lemon of a car brand new off the lot.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
FOURTH TIME replacing my water pump in six years of owning my vehicle. I originally took my vehicle to my regular, trustworthy mechanic to verify it was the water pump failing AGAIN since my heater was suddenly not working in mid January (been there, done that). Mechanic said two of his guys looked over the vehicle per their diagnostic process and confirmed it was the water pump but also the thermostat this time. GRRRR!
Knowing GM is on the hook to replace my water pumps for free under a special coverage warranty (#14371B), I took my Sonic across the street to the GM dealership to save $300-400. The dealership calls me the next morning saying it is the water pump and thermostat -- which I already knew. Then they tack on more fictional problems including an alleged "MAJOR oil leak," which will involve removing the engine to access the leak, replacing all the brake pads because "they are failing," and a transmission fluid change. The repair quote they gave me was somewhere around $4,000 for fixing the water pump, thermostat, the oil leak, brake pad replacement, and a transmission fluid flush. I immediately thought they were full of sh*t since I LITERLLY paid for a full diagnostic on my vehicle the day before -- and this is the first time I am hearing about any kind of oil leak or brake issues.
I call my regular mechanic to ask him about an oil leak and brakes since it was not on their report. My mechanic said, "those dealership guys are trained to upsell you on non-existent car issues for a commission, especially if you're female." At this point I am MAJORLY PISSED because this is not the first time a mechanic has tried to take upsell me on unnecessary car repairs. I called the GM dealer back and told them to only fix the coolant issues for now and I will watch for an oil leak over the next few days. I said my brakes are fine and I am not going to flush out the transmission fluid because it usually causes more issues down the line. Got my Sonic back from the dealership and parked it in the same spot for 48 hours with a white piece of cloth underneath the engine to catch any leaking oil. After two days NOTHING. Eight months later and STILL NO OIL LEAK.
I will never do business with a GM dealership ever again; they are a bunch of lying con artists and sold me a lemon of a car brand new off the lot.
- aware_nightmare, Omaha, US